Just a note

A fellow writer and friend mentioned how, at 16, she had simple story ideas, but as an adult, those ideas have grown and multiplied into more complexities. 

My own stories began so simply(alien & human in love, dog gangsters, merman falls in love with tree woman researching him) and now those same tales have grown into journeys of self identity, dived into gender politics, injustice, advocacy, sex and body positivity, with cast of characters from diverse cultural ethnic groups, mythological beings, and various alien species. 

I will continue to tell the stories that speak to me and that I wish I had read when I was younger.

Until next time, my Dear Readers.

Graphic Novel WIP coming along

Since restarting the graphic novel project from 2018, I realized as a creator I can better pace the main romance and love story between the main couple. I always include romance or intimate love in all my stories but the humor for a slice-of-life romantic comedy works even better for me in graphic narrative form.

I have plans to either traditionally or self-publish this work-in-progress. I have my equipment for other single illustrated one-time projects but for this particular comic, I do plan to get some digital equipment in order to complete it faster. And by completing, I'm talking about being able to finalize each "episode" or "chapter" within this vast story. 

 It's so warming to see a comic I'm amateurly posting/online "publishing" and it's already getting critical feedback from other writers. For the hundreds of pages I posted on Instagram, I've received so many positive comments and even readers telling me their Team Yanina and Peter!

I know my blog has been wordy and text-heavy lately. I will post some draft work from the Summer to Winter graphic project. Just continue to bear with me and my adventures in being a creative writer and illustrator.

And continue to support the love story between Yanina and Peter! Thank you, my dear readers and take care.❤♥️😍💖❣💕💘 

I Hate This...

D@mn. Did I bite off more than I could chew? This month is freakin' wild and I can't get my creative act together. I missed Camp NaNoWriMo for April and decided to make up for one of the "lost projects" by doing two for July Camp. 

And now I may not make my word counts on both because of an unforeseen project and trying to help out with technical issues at home that drain me and make me remember why I never applied at any tech support jobs! 

I am a total night owl introvert when it comes to things like this because, then, people are asleep and I don't have to contend with them getting in the way of my personal creative work being done.

More from the Twitterverse...

While writing entries on alien biology, there are notes on mutations for my human characters. The humans start off with nascent newfound powers, but in my far-future stories set within the same universe, these abilities become special much needed skill-sets. 

What I've been up to...

Fixed text in a comic strip submission via Paint. I also have another mini-comic story with a couple of panels to fix and expand a rushed last page into two full comic pages. 

While I work on my scifi series, and other projects, I have some unpublished comics I did submit. 

Presently, I still search for more SFFH/Speculative Fiction markets and graphic/illustrated narrative markets too. 

Since I do short fiction, essays, and comics, I'm looking into literary journals and magazines. 

My journey continues. I hope you, my dear readers, will continue it with me.

When Art Imitates Life Imitates Stories

Most of my comics are set in present-day United States. But I try not to use specific states so I can make up cities, towns, and districts/counties inspired by actual unique events, demographics, and regional culture. However, there remains a veneer of realism I want to convey with a sense of universalism for the readers.

This is also a tremendous help and opportunity for me, the creator, to do research on different states as I may be unable to visit but can figure out the aspects and unique locales. Then I can begin to work out geography for that story and its characters.

From the Twitterverse - Musings

I love The Twilight Zone, but I'm keen on the episodes written by the man himself, Rod Serling, whose dialogue is sharp without being cynical, his tone sentimental and hopeful without being schmaltzy, and who lent a poetic dynamism to his characters' words. 

What I posted to Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram

My birthplace is now the epicenter of this pandemic, exacerbated by lies, misinformation, and leadership by folks who have no business running a flea circus or ant farm. My current scifi story takes place in the near-future in my original 'hometown' and even at one of the Presbyterian hospitals! Now, with so many of our hospitals overrun by this plague and suffering under the guidance of a presidency that's more regime than administered, I can't, in all good conscience, continue this story for now. I'm a Floridian by choice but still a New Yorker by fate, and I'm hurting for my original state and for this country. 

Procrastinating is my Kryptonite

I know I may seem incredibly productive, but do you know what I've been doing instead of writing my cat fantasy about my warlock cat and warrior mate? 

I've been making word lists of all the Sunday funnies that influenced my cartooning, did brief descriptions of three monsters from the current cat fantasy which falls more into Sword&Sorcery with all its evil beings, fighting, and spellbinding magic, and wrote a short dialogue scene which was the continuation from a previous comic scene drafted. 

All to avoid writing. *Sigh*

My mind goes a mile a minute

My science fiction story seems to be picking up steam as far as writing it. And since it will be an ongoing short story series, I realized last night I'll have to separate and categorize chunks and sections of it into story-arcs. And then give those story arcs actual titles. More to come. Stay Tuned... 

14 Answers About Being A Writer

Answers to questions I've been asked over the years...

1. Yes, I'm published. More than once. In fact, check out my blog: http://theangrygoblin.wordpress.com 

2. Yes, I've been paid. No, I don't believe in the 'It's for exposure' myth anymore.

3. I write mainly short stories because I tried writing novels and found I took too long to finish them. I wanted to get my stories out in a hurry.

4. I don't want to get into novels now even though the market favors them because my writing leans more towards the short fiction style.

5. I am already juggling enough projects and working on more than one genre and can't get into other genres and industries now.

6. I write Furry/Anthro, Science fiction, Fantasy, Slice-of-life, essays, short memoirs, and articles. My subgenres are Dark Fantasy (the closest I'll get to writing Horror), Epic Fantasy, Sword-and-sorcery, Space operas, Historicals, Dramas, Comedy, Action/Adventure/Thrillers, and Romance.

7. The above already explains the amount of projects I'm juggling. I'm constantly coming up with story ideas and some need more time to formulate.

8. Just because I have a story idea doesn't mean it's ready to go out on the market*. 

9. When I've completed a project, that doesn't mean I can immediately send it out to market*.

10. 'Marketing' involves a host of steps: knowing what to call your project, which presses/publishing houses/university publishers may accept, reading through submission guidelines, querying editors, and that particular format history.

11. I mentioned above, "What to call your project". People often think that a writer (finally!) finishes a project and away it goes! NO! Certainly Not! You will need to submit it in a particular format beforehand. And if you don't know what your project is, then you won't know what form to put it in for submission.

12. It's good to give advice to a writer, but, unless you know how the market works, don't take what the writer is saying as a reject of said advice. 

Usually, writers who have been in the game for a while (like me! It's been about 22 years😳), we have learned what works, what doesn't, and industry standards those outside may not.

13. Also, to learn and make a career from writing is actually difficult! Just learning how to craft a query letter to interact with editors, reading and learning how to understand contracts, not to mention the breadth of knowledge you acquire depending on WHAT YOU WRITE are all challenges. 

14.  Lastly, if you truly TRULY want to help a writer, buy our works, our stuff, advertise for us, let people know where and when we have things published! 

Direct others to our websites, social media platforms, etc. Attend the signings, book festivals, take our workshops, and introduce others to our works. Aaaand, if you know a writer personally, buy us coffee or tea, or our favorite snacks, give writing tools and supplies as gifts. And furthermore, give us TIME.

Thank you for reading.😊

The Unseen Within

I was recently diagnosed with Hashimoto's Disease.

This isn't fatal and it's tied in with the thyroid disorder I have struggled with since my Baccalaureate days. I spoke to a dear friend who suffers similarly and, because that friend had received diagnosis of their Hashimoto's before me, was able to recognize and point out my symptoms to me.

I don't think I have posted about my thyroid problems for some years on this blog. I constantly tweet about it but it has been a long time since I covered and blogged about it on Pretty in Print.

Such diseases and disorders that affect the thyroid, hormones, glandular, and chronic aches and pains are often cited as 'Invisible Illnesses'. Since being diagnosed with Grave's Disease back in 2002, I have become much more aware of my body, my lifelong allergies, and other conditions. I notice that I place such on my characters in my stories.

As my readers have been following this blog, I recently had a short story published. It is science fiction yet I'm acutely aware of what my alien character and his human mate are going through. Allergies take a strong position in the story. As well as female hormonal health, migraines, and understanding the difference in how many pain receptors the different sexes have.

I've been continuous with the story. There are scenes that recall the struggles of a being negatively and positively affected by this planet. Because he does not originate from here, there are precautions he has learned to take in order to survive. I don't see many scifi stories that tackle these issues about what our planet could do to off-world visitors that would not necessarily kill them but might still make them consistently suffer.

Invisible illnesses and diseases are just that. One hurts. One aches. Diet has to be changed. Certain physical activities altered. I'm wearing more compression footwear and wrist supports now. Even to bed. There are more and more foods I have to remove from my daily intake. I feel like an alien. I don't feel like I belong on this world but should have been born on another.

During my MFA program, I met a faculty member who has become a sort of unofficial mentor to several of us. Her name is Sandra Beasley and she wrote a book called Don't Kill the Birthday Girl which not only chronicles her life as someone who has numerous food allergies, but the book is also a medical guide. It's not just a funny memoir but an informative medical documentation.

I want people to understand that folks like myself want understanding and empathy. I let some at my workplace know about my diagnosis, and I was given the response that at least it isn't fatal.

That isn't the point.

There are things to change and alter but it can still bring much of a shock and fearfulness for the future. I know I won't die from this, but it still is a frightening disorder.

Lifestyle must change. Life goals must be changed. The person you thought you were has now been forever colored. What you *knew* about yourself was a lie and you weren't ever at fault. But the world wasn't made for you. And only those within these illnesses or are deeply connected may understand.

To purchase Don't Kill the Birthday Girl, click here.
To understand Hashimoto's Disease and other glandular/thyroidal issues may click here.

When Artwork Imitates Writing

Just completed a draft sketch of my feline witch characters and it made the gears start turning again for my story.

I did what is called a 'gesture drawing' and it's when the artist draws a person or people quickly but in a dynamic way.

I started saving my art references not just in Google but as screenshots on my phone so, in case the internet is down, I can have easier access.

Drawing, sketching, drafting calms me but also makes me closer to my characters. Once I have a visual on them, questions occur, personalities start to become real, and I learn new things about them.

If you want to see my work-in-progress, you can hop over to my 'secret account' on Instagram: handdrawnbycarmenjr

With Camp NaNo, I'm halfway there!

Dear Self:


When deciding to work on two simultaneous projects at once, making sure all your ducks are in a row still doesn't guarantee satisfaction.

I have one story continuing from last Camp NaNoWriMo April 2019, Oak & Ash with Bone, which is considered high/epic fantasy.

And this Camp NaNoWriMo July 2019, I'm working on another story that is working-titled The Firefly Crown Cycle (the "official first" story in the series published by e-anthology Anthrozine) that takes place 12-20 years later.

It is tentatively-titled The Queen in Spite of Herself/The Lion Rampant. Also titling the chapters.

The photo to my left shows the current journals I'm gleaning from in order to get this work on board.

If you want to read Firefly Crown online, you can go to my publication blog The Angry Goblin at Wordpress!

I am halfway through and already feel I might not make my word count, but, I would rather have the outlines and drafts typed out so I can edit and revise for later.
I'm exhausted and will do more blogging. Take care!

Scifi author will soon be added to my resume!

My first science fiction story will be published! This is both amazing and incredible. I enjoy writing and my furry fantasy being accepted, but the SF stuff kept collecting rejection after rejection.

However, as time passed, some of those rejected manuscripts started yielding positive feedback.

Also, the story in question is an idea I've been nursing since grade school (a number of my oldest written stories formulated during these years), and though it's near and dear to me, I just couldn't find it a home. Well, that all changed recently and once more things are finalized, I'll keep dropping hints here on this blog.

Just A Quick Note...

Oh snap, my website upgrade is nearly done! Created a whole new About Me page along with a photo I edited. I'm going to test out the website upload. And I also resubmitted a recently rejected essay (but the feedback was glowing and sweet) to a literary journal I absolutely adore. Wish me luck!

More Random Thoughts from Journal Land

Camp NaNoWriMo started but this week took a bit much out of me, plus, I plunked down some hefty funds to get my eyes tested for new prescription frames! I was given a 40% discount but I'm poor until my next paycheck.

More news! Tabber the Red site will have a new look this July! In time for its birthday! So, working on some new Tabber stories set in world while also giving the official website a new face! Ay...

More random notes from the journals - this time, I need to do things on smaller paper or I feel I can't finish it! (Psychologically the same as getting the same amount of food put in a smaller bowl or on a smaller plate)

11x14 paper will be used as drafting/composition ideas!

9x12 will be for larger pieces such as character sheets, profiles, and storyboards.

Finally, 7x10 will be my magic number when it comes to final comic/graphic novel/manga artwork, which can be better scanned and formatted for digital submission.

May God help me with the next coming months. It's gonna be a doozy!

I'm READY for Camp NaNoWriMo! ...I think...

Okay, went off on a tangent with the previous post. A few of my students point this out to me. Good thing I'm in a lab and not a classroom. I think I would serve better to be a lecturer and do a few workshops. However, gotta concentrate on the short stories and comic ideas I feel more confident in working on. Also, I have three submissions in the pipeline now and the suspense is killing me while I try to distract myself with other projects. Below are some of my new goals for 2019.

These aren't all of them. I can still keep some stuff private.

No more chasing fellowships (won't turn down a recommendation or if someone sponsors me, though!)
No more seeking pro-blogging jobs (unless invited and I have other deadlines cleared)
Putting the canine historical on the backburner (for now)
Returning to feline epic fantasy
Drafting updated science fiction series
Returning to comic stories
Returning to more illustrations within the speculative genre

Right now, I'm putting energy into Camp for April 2019. My account still works and I have new equipment and a new vision. I'm so glad to my readers who have stayed with me and I appreciate you who have been with me on this journey.

Let's rock 2019! Or, at least, skip pebbles. :)

Oh, and I promised the official link to Camp NaNoWriMo.
Here it is: http://campnanowrimo.org/

CAMP NaNoWriMo is fast approaching and I've been having tech problems...

It has been three years since I participated in any NaNoWriMo activities.

As I've said in past posts, NaNoWriMo stands for National Novel Writing Month. At the end of this post, I will provide official links. The reason I decided to do so this year is I have a series that helped me find my voice as a writer as well as a community of acceptance. It has also helped me have a "writing career" of sorts. I've been interviewed for podcasts, invited to participate in writing workshops, a few events, and led me to graduate school, something I thought I wouldn't do.

My feline fantasy series has also helped me to create an online presence as well as navigate social media and I know there are still stories for me to tell. I don't want to give it up. Also, the life of a writer has sidelines and detours. Writers, we get distracted or obsessed with other projects, new ideas, and have asides. Also, life gets in the way as it does with everything. Sometimes, I struggle to juggle all these stories, new shiny ideas, and the determination to finish other projects.

Once I sat back and took a good look at myself from 2017 and 2018, I realized I would need to take a step back from the goals I had set for myself, especially when certain goals have been met as well as seeing that some have become stumbling blocks and may no longer serve their purpose. It's okay to walk away from certain goals one sets for oneself! I had to learn that hard lesson. I understood that the continuing of my fantasy short story series cannot be sacrificed in the interest of goals that have expired or outlived their purpose.

Sorry, I went into a diatribe, but I'm officially returning to the Tabber the Red world and will use 2019 as the Year of the Cat for my tales. My website named after my warrior tabby is turning 13 and I want to give it a fresh new look for its birthday this year. The blogs keep getting updated, but ever since I upgraded my desktop, I now lack the software I've used to update the website. And just recently, had to lease a new laptop since the new Dell netbook to replace my Chromebook died, and then the Chromebook has been shutting off, so...

Also, my mom needed a new computer, so I helped put her Lenovo 3-in-1 desktop together and have been navigating my way around it as well as my own Alienware to keep their antiviruses, software patches, and notifications up-to-speed. It hasn't been easy. I'm a lab tutor and one of my coworkers and good friends is our department's tech person, I'm the unofficial one for when he isn't around. So, not only do I have to do topical fixes and changes to our technical equipment at my job, but I come home to maintain my and mom's computers and printer. That's another thing, my own 3-in-1 printer stopped talking to my Chromebook, so that's been fun!

But the good news is my desktop is an Alienware and my brand-new laptop is a Razer, so by the grace of God, I can go back to worrying about updating site, blogs, writing, and hopefully returning to relearning digital artwork on these new platforms. And there I went off on talking about technology when I should have been talking about my plans for April Camp NaNoWriMo!

Next post! Onward and upward!

Why the Teacher(s)?

Happy 2019!

I tend to have a lot of educator characters (main and minor) in my slice-of-life comics and I wondered about that. 

And then it occurred to me: While reading "Archie", I was often curious about teacher, Miss Grundy, and the school principal, Mr. Weatherbee. 

What did they do after school? Did they like each other? What kind of families did they have or come from? What were their hobbies? 

As the child of a schoolteacher, I knew that teachers didn't live at the school but had homes like everybody else. Also, why were story teachers always old?

These sorts of questions drove me crazy as a kid. I also had to stop a lot of stupid rumors among my fellow elementary school classmates.

No, teachers didn't live at the school. They didn't sleep under their desks.
No, teachers had families and kids.
They do have spouses.
And teachers had nothing to do with the cafeteria food menu.
That's why they often bring their own lunches.
And no, teachers didn't give out homework to torment us.
Oftentimes, they had to answer to a higher authority, such as the school administrators and school boards.

Why did I only see a scratching of the surface on these musings when I watched those Hollywood films about a teacher going into a ghetto neighborhood to 'save the children'? What about the teachers who already lived there? Didn't they have a say?

Family, friends, family friends, I was always surrounded by teachers. Why not tell the stories I overheard? Why not come up with my own?

Teachers have a life, let's all acknowledge that, shall we?